MICK McCarthy today hailed Oldham's spectacular run of form ahead of their FA Cup visit to Molineux as adding spice to his first Wolves' taste of the "best competition in the world".

The Wolves boss is one of those for whom the FA Cup has never lost its magic either as player or manager, and it's only three seasons since he guided Sunderland to the semi finals before losing to Millwall.

And he believes tomorrow's Third Round tie carries extra intrigue bearing in mind Oldham's run of four successive wins culminating in the 5-0 thumping of Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day.

"Oldham are going very well and John Sheridan, who I know very well from playing together for the Republic of Ireland, is doing a fantastic job," said McCarthy.

"I know Forest were down to nine men eventually on Monday but to slap them 5-0 is no mean feat.

"It might do us a favour that Oldham are flying because we're not getting someone coming here from a division below and struggling with everyone on the outside thinking it's going to be a piece of cake.

"It won't be, it will be a really tough cup tie, and the fact Oldham are right up there in their league gives it an added spice and makes it that little bit more interesting for everyone involved."

McCarthy has no time for those who try to downplay the FA Cup's importance, and insists that the extra games from a cup run can actually benefit fortunes in the league.

"When we got to the semi finals with Sunderland it certainly did us no harm because we ended up finishing third in the Championship," he added.

"It's all about winning games, you don't have to sacrifice one for the other and even though we ended up with a busy spell of fixtures it didn't contribute to us losing in the play-offs.

"For me the FA Cup is still the best competition in the world. Others might say the Champions League but you don't get minnows going through in the Champions League and causing upsets like in the FA Cup.

"I've been on both sides, causing upsets or being on the end of upsets and let me tell you, that's not a nice feeling.

"Maybe because of the importance of staying in the Premiership or trying to get there some teams look at it differently but I used to love playing in it and managing in it as well.

"I certainly don't go in for resting players and any of that nonsense and if the worst happens and we don't get through it won't be because we've taken it lightly."